Backward, Forward, and All Around
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
A mother fights against a stubborn administrative system for her son, who she suspects has dyslexia, to get him the services he needs.
Backward, Forward, and All Around
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,774 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
59 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
A mother fights against a stubborn administrative system for her son, who she suspects has dyslexia, to get him the services he needs.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Sarah, a stubborn and protective mother, tries to secure services for her son, Noah, a second grader who is struggling to read and write. However, despite Sarah’s best efforts, she faces resistance at every turn from the rigid school administration and the headache that is the evaluation process. Although she faces roadblocks, Sarah will stop at nothing to ensure her son gets the help he needs and doesn’t fall in between the cracks of the educational system.
SARAH
Sarah is fierce, and relentless, and will do whatever is necessary to help her son. However, despite her combative instinct when it comes to the fight to get Noah his services, she always makes sure to deal with Ben in a loving, caring, and tender way.
NOAH
Noah is smart, creative, and playful. Unfortunately, he is also struggling academically. Badly. He is beaten down by his school and homework, and if he doesn’t receive the help he needs soon, he won't ever gain faith in the system that should be supporting him.
THE SCHOOL
The school administration is brushing off Sarah’s concern and is often acting in black and white instead of thinking of creative solutions to the problem. The archaic thinking of the school makes them a terrible feat for Sarah to overcome.
“Backward, Forward and All Around” will reflect real lives, as this is a very real story for many families. It’s about the fight of a mother (or parents) against a corrupt school system. The short film will be frustrating, stressful, and emotional, which are the emotions many parents who are trying to get their kids evaluated feel.
“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” This quote is an oxymoron to our story as so many people, including Jacob, have struggled with reading disabilities from a young age and not all were given the proper help when needed. Showing the world the importance of being able to learn and grow at any age is a belief ingrained in us.
“Backward, Forward, and All Around” is a touching story about a mother’s struggle to help her child. Mothers are extremely underrated, and their love for their children can break through any obstacle. This story is one of many depictions of that truth and the harsh reality that many have to go through to help their children.
Follow!
Follow our Campaign as we update you on Backward, Forward, and All Around.
Incentives & Pledges
You can contribute to our film through the incentive or by pledging. Seed&Spark requires at least 80% of our goal in 30 days to receive ANY funds. We’ve included incentives with unique perks, or you can pledge to any wishlist item. No dollar amount or pledge is too small. Any contribution is appreciated and goes directly towards realizing this story.
Pledging any amount to the campaign is immensely helpful, even if it’s a dollar. Times are tough, and we understand everyone is financially in a different place. Nonetheless, every dollar counts, and no pledge is too small!
STRETCH GOALS
Our $6,000 is the absolute minimum we need to raise to go into production.
IF WE RAISE $7,000, we'll be able to offer a higher pay rate for our cast and crew!
IF WE RAISE $8,000, we'll be able to rent better equipment and cover more film festival submissions, ensuring that this important story reaches the largest audience possible.
COVID Saftey
A certified Covid Safety Officer will be on set, and will be in charge of ensuring the proper precautions are in place against COVID-19. Additionally, PPE will be provided to both cast and crew with extra available on set.
Share!
It would be fantastic to reach beyond our network to accomplish our fundraising goals. If you’d like to be a part of supporting this vital story and independent and sustainable productions, this is the place to do it! Your support makes a difference in our success.
Please share our Campaign through any means. Below is an example. Feel free to copy and paste.
Help filmmaking duo Jacob Appel and Eli Mandel complete their short film, "Backward, Forward, and All Around" about a mother who fights against a stubborn administrative system for her son, who she suspects has dyslexia, to get him the services he needs. Visit their Seed&Spark Campaign at www.seedandspark.com/fund/backward-forward-and-all-around and follow as they keep their audience up to date during production.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew Pay
Costs $3,300
Amount needed to pay cast crew.
Equipment Rental
Costs $1,200
Amount needed to rent film equipment.
Catering
Costs $220
Help feed the cast and crew
Locations
Costs $400
Need to pay for certain locations to film at.
Film Festivals
Costs $300
Help us enter film festivals.
Props
Costs $280
Help us make our locations look realistic.
Post-Production
Costs $300
Help us score and color correct the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JACOB APPEL - Director/Producer/Writer
Jacob Appel is a director, producer, and award winning writer who graduated from CUNY Queens College in 2021. Since graduating, Jacob has worked as a PA on a variety of projects from Discovery shows to a live-streamed Harry Styles concert, while also providing script coverage for many different production companies. Jacob’s writing has won and placed him in various competitions from Scholastic to Scriptapalooza. He also happens to be dyslexic.
ELI MANDEL - Director/Producer
Eli Mandel is a New York based director, writer, and award nominated producer who graduated from CUNY Brooklyn College in 2022. He’s directed and produced three other short films, one in which he had written. Following graduation, Eli has worked as an Office PA at Silvercup Studios while also providing script coverage to various production companies. Eli was nominated for outstanding Achievement in Producing at the Brooklyn College Film Festival for the short film “Watering Down the Truth,” and has won the audience award for co-writing “Rubble” at the WriterDuet 48 Hour Throwdown.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Sarah, a stubborn and protective mother, tries to secure services for her son, Noah, a second grader who is struggling to read and write. However, despite Sarah’s best efforts, she faces resistance at every turn from the rigid school administration and the headache that is the evaluation process. Although she faces roadblocks, Sarah will stop at nothing to ensure her son gets the help he needs and doesn’t fall in between the cracks of the educational system.
SARAH
Sarah is fierce, and relentless, and will do whatever is necessary to help her son. However, despite her combative instinct when it comes to the fight to get Noah his services, she always makes sure to deal with Ben in a loving, caring, and tender way.
NOAH
Noah is smart, creative, and playful. Unfortunately, he is also struggling academically. Badly. He is beaten down by his school and homework, and if he doesn’t receive the help he needs soon, he won't ever gain faith in the system that should be supporting him.
THE SCHOOL
The school administration is brushing off Sarah’s concern and is often acting in black and white instead of thinking of creative solutions to the problem. The archaic thinking of the school makes them a terrible feat for Sarah to overcome.
“Backward, Forward and All Around” will reflect real lives, as this is a very real story for many families. It’s about the fight of a mother (or parents) against a corrupt school system. The short film will be frustrating, stressful, and emotional, which are the emotions many parents who are trying to get their kids evaluated feel.
“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” This quote is an oxymoron to our story as so many people, including Jacob, have struggled with reading disabilities from a young age and not all were given the proper help when needed. Showing the world the importance of being able to learn and grow at any age is a belief ingrained in us.
“Backward, Forward, and All Around” is a touching story about a mother’s struggle to help her child. Mothers are extremely underrated, and their love for their children can break through any obstacle. This story is one of many depictions of that truth and the harsh reality that many have to go through to help their children.
Follow!
Follow our Campaign as we update you on Backward, Forward, and All Around.
Incentives & Pledges
You can contribute to our film through the incentive or by pledging. Seed&Spark requires at least 80% of our goal in 30 days to receive ANY funds. We’ve included incentives with unique perks, or you can pledge to any wishlist item. No dollar amount or pledge is too small. Any contribution is appreciated and goes directly towards realizing this story.
Pledging any amount to the campaign is immensely helpful, even if it’s a dollar. Times are tough, and we understand everyone is financially in a different place. Nonetheless, every dollar counts, and no pledge is too small!
STRETCH GOALS
Our $6,000 is the absolute minimum we need to raise to go into production.
IF WE RAISE $7,000, we'll be able to offer a higher pay rate for our cast and crew!
IF WE RAISE $8,000, we'll be able to rent better equipment and cover more film festival submissions, ensuring that this important story reaches the largest audience possible.
COVID Saftey
A certified Covid Safety Officer will be on set, and will be in charge of ensuring the proper precautions are in place against COVID-19. Additionally, PPE will be provided to both cast and crew with extra available on set.
Share!
It would be fantastic to reach beyond our network to accomplish our fundraising goals. If you’d like to be a part of supporting this vital story and independent and sustainable productions, this is the place to do it! Your support makes a difference in our success.
Please share our Campaign through any means. Below is an example. Feel free to copy and paste.
Help filmmaking duo Jacob Appel and Eli Mandel complete their short film, "Backward, Forward, and All Around" about a mother who fights against a stubborn administrative system for her son, who she suspects has dyslexia, to get him the services he needs. Visit their Seed&Spark Campaign at www.seedandspark.com/fund/backward-forward-and-all-around and follow as they keep their audience up to date during production.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew Pay
Costs $3,300
Amount needed to pay cast crew.
Equipment Rental
Costs $1,200
Amount needed to rent film equipment.
Catering
Costs $220
Help feed the cast and crew
Locations
Costs $400
Need to pay for certain locations to film at.
Film Festivals
Costs $300
Help us enter film festivals.
Props
Costs $280
Help us make our locations look realistic.
Post-Production
Costs $300
Help us score and color correct the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JACOB APPEL - Director/Producer/Writer
Jacob Appel is a director, producer, and award winning writer who graduated from CUNY Queens College in 2021. Since graduating, Jacob has worked as a PA on a variety of projects from Discovery shows to a live-streamed Harry Styles concert, while also providing script coverage for many different production companies. Jacob’s writing has won and placed him in various competitions from Scholastic to Scriptapalooza. He also happens to be dyslexic.
ELI MANDEL - Director/Producer
Eli Mandel is a New York based director, writer, and award nominated producer who graduated from CUNY Brooklyn College in 2022. He’s directed and produced three other short films, one in which he had written. Following graduation, Eli has worked as an Office PA at Silvercup Studios while also providing script coverage to various production companies. Eli was nominated for outstanding Achievement in Producing at the Brooklyn College Film Festival for the short film “Watering Down the Truth,” and has won the audience award for co-writing “Rubble” at the WriterDuet 48 Hour Throwdown.